Friday, March 22, 2024

When Should I Receive My Medicare Card

Don't Miss

Does Your Medicare Card Automatically Arrive In The Mail When Turning 65

Can I Laminate My Medicare Card? | How to protect your Medicare card

Hello Toni:

I turned 65 in December and have not received my Medicare card. I am working full- time with company benefits and not taking my social security check. A co-worker said I should have already received my card because her parents did at 65. Do I call Medicare or what to enroll? Do I have to be receiving my Social Security check to get Medicare? Can you please explain what I should do?

Thanks, Janie, Longview, TX

I have good news for you because your Medicare situation is fine! You are working full-time with company insurance. You are not receiving your Social Security check yet, so your Medicare card would not come automatically. When you decide to retire and are no longer under your or your spouseâs employer health insurance is when you need to apply for Medicare. This is one of the main topics during a Toni Says Medicare consultation.

Most people think that when they turn 65, a magical switch is turned on and poof automatically they are on Medicare! Medicare changed the rules during the Clinton administration when Social Security extended the time to begin receiving 100% of oneâs social security benefits.

For your Medicare card to automatically begin the first day of the month that you turn 65 depends on whether you are receiving your social security check. Receiving your social security check is your ticket to starting your Medicare at 65.

How to receive your Medicare at the right time:

If Youre New To Medicare

Youll have to manually apply for Medicare if:

  • You live in Puerto Rico. You may get automatically enrolled in Part A as described above, but youll need to sign up for Part B.
  • You arent receiving retirement benefits yet.
  • You have end-stage renal disease .

If you have end-stage renal disease , you can apply for Medicare at any time. Otherwise, youre first eligible to enroll during your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, which typically starts three months before you turn 65, includes the month of your 65th birthday, and ends three months later. When your Medicare coverage begins and when you get your Medicare card depends on the month you sign up during this period.

If you dont enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, in most cases youll have to wait until the General Enrollment Period, which takes place from January to March 31 every year. You may have to pay a late-enrollment penalty for Medicare Part B .

Some people decide to delay Medicare Part B enrollment if they have other coverage, since Part B comes with a premium. If youre working and have health coverage through an employer, you can sign up for Part B with a Special Enrollment Period when you stop working or that coverage ends. You wont have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period.

If you worked for a railroad, youd apply for Medicare through the Railroad Retirement Board. Otherwise, youd sign up through Social Security.

My Medicare Number: Everything You Need To Know

When you enroll in Medicare, you will get your Medicare card in the mail. Your unique Medicare number will be on this card.

You can expect your Medicare card â also called your red, white, and blue card â to come in the mail 3 months before you turn 65 or your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.

Itâs important to note that your card is paper, similar to a Social Security Card, which makes it easy to photocopy. Because your card is paper it make be easily damaged or lost, so be sure to be careful!

You May Like: Does Medicare Pay For Assisted Living In Ohio

Does Medicare Card Come Automatically

Enrollment in Original Medicare and the receipt of your Medicare ID card will be automatic if you meet one of the following conditions. If you are turning age 65 and receiving Social Security Insurance or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, your Medicare ID card will arrive three months before your 65th birthday.

Employer Or Military Retiree Coverage

Freeholder Board Reminds Seniors on New Medicare Cards

If you or your spouse has an Employer Group Health Plan as retiree health coverage from an employer or the military , you may not need additional insurance. Review the EGHPs costs and benefits and contact your employer benefits representative or SHIIP to learn how your coverage works with Medicare.

Read Also: A Medicare Supplement Policy Is

What Do I Need To Do Before I Turn 65

This quick checklist covers some of the most important things you should review.Prepare for Medicare. … Consider Additional Health Insurance. … Review Your Social Security Benefits Plan. … Plan Ahead for Long-Term Care Costs. … Review Your Retirement Accounts and Investments. … Update Your Estate Planning Documents.Nov 22, 2021

How Do I Get A Replacement Medicare Card

Your Medicare card is proof of your Medicare insurance. If your Medicare card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can ask for a replacement by using your online mySocial Security account. If you dont already have an account, you can create one online. Go to . Once you are logged in to your account, select “Replace your Medicare Card” link under the Medicare Enrollment Detail section. Then select Mail my replacement Medicare Card. Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days at the address on file with us. If you do not receive your new Medicare card after 30 days, there may be something that needs to be corrected, like your mailing address. Make sure the mailing address is correct. If not, you can update it using your personalmySocial Security account.

If you need to know your new Medicare Number, please visit myMedicare.gov/ account and sign in. You can see your Medicare Number and print an official copy of your card. If you dont have a myMedicare.gov/ account yet, go to create an account and follow the instructions.

If you cant or prefer not to use the online service, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE .

Don’t Miss: Is It Medicaid Or Medicare

Check Status Of Medicare Application

There are various ways to receive Medicare coverage.

If you already collect Social Security benefits before age 65, youll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A hospital insurance and Medicare Part B medical insurance when you turn 65.

Otherwise, you need to sign up for this coverage on your own.

Once your application is submitted, you can check on its status by:

To check the status of your Medicare application on the Social Security website, you will need to enter your Social Security number and the confirmation number you received when you filed your application.

Your application status will show:

  • The date your application was received
  • Any requests for additional documents
  • The address of the Social Security office processing your application
  • Whether a decision has been made about your application

Once your application is processed, you will receive a notification letter in the mail to inform you of whether your application was approved.

If you need help, or are unable to check your application status online, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Wheres My New Medicare Card How To Find Out The Status

How do I replace a lost or stolen Medicare card?

The federal government has begun mailing new Medicare cards to 59 million Americans. You should keep track of when your new card will arrive and contact Medicare if you dont receive it.

Local Elder Law Attorneys in Your City

City, State

As ElderLawAnswers previously reported, to prevent fraud and fight identity theft, the federal government is issuing new cards to all Medicare beneficiaries that will no longer have beneficiaries Social Security numbers on them. The government began mailing the cards in April 2018 and the new cards should be completely distributed by April 2019. The cards are being mailed in phases based on the state the beneficiary lives in.

To check the status of card mailing in your state, go here: . The map will show whether Medicare has sent new cards to your state. Once Medicare starts mailing cards to your state, it can take up to a month to receive the card. If the government has finished mailing the cards to your state, and you did not receive a card, contact Medicare right away at 1-800-MEDICARE or 1-877-486-2048 for TTY users.

If the government hasnt begun mailing cards to your state yet, keep checking the website. You can also sign up to receive an email when the card is mailed to you. If your mailing address is not up to date, call 800-772-1213, visit www.ssa.gov, or go to a local Social Security office to update it.

For information on the new cards, go here: .

You May Like: How To Get Medicare For Free

How Can I Find My Medicare Number

You can find your Medicare number on your Medicare card. Or you can sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account to view your number. You can use this account to not only view your number but print an official copy of your card.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE , TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048, to get your Medicare card or number.

How Long Does It Take For A Medicare Application To Be Approved

Once your application has been reviewed, you should receive a letter in the mail to confirm whether youve been enrolled in the program or not. If your application has been denied, the letter will explain why this decision was made and what to do next.

If your application has been approved, youll receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. Your card will show your name, Medicare number, which Medicare plans you benefit from, and the start dates for each plan.

Youll receive your card within about 3 weeks from the date you apply for Medicare. You should carry your card with you whenever youre away from home.

You can sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account if you need to print a replacement card.

You May Like: Do You Have To Pay A Premium For Medicare

Enrollment In Original Medicare And The Receipt Of Your Medicare Id Card Will Be Automatic If You Meet One Of The Following Conditions

  • If you are turning age 65 and receiving Social Security Insurance or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, your Medicare ID card will arrive three months before your 65th birthday. Coverage usually begins the first day of your birthday month. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, coverage usually starts the month prior.
  • If you are under age 65 and have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, your Medicare ID card will arrive during the 25th month you have been receiving disability benefits. Coverage starts at the beginning of the 25th month you have been receiving disability benefits.
  • If you have Lou Gehrigs disease and begin receiving your Social Security disability benefits, you will receive your Medicare ID card the first month your disability begins. Coverage also starts the first month your disability benefits begin.

When Will Medicare Start

SCVNews.com

If you turn 65 years old. If youre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, youll be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, when you reach age 65. Your Medicare card should arrive about three months before your 65th birthday, and your Medicare coverage starts the first day …

Recommended Reading: How Much Will Medicare Pay For Mental Health Services

When Do You Start Receiving Medicare Benefits

Your benefits may not start until 3 months after applying, so its important to apply 3 months before your 65th birthday to start receiving coverage that day. If you already collect Social Security income benefits or Railroad Retirement Benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare when you turn 65.

What Your Medicare Card Will Look Like

Once you have been accepted into the Medicare program, the next step is to receive your Medicare card. Your Medicare card acts as the card that you use at the healthcare facilities. It has a unique number with your name on it, along with your Medicare Part A and, if you have it, Part B effective dates.

Read Also: Is Medical Guardian Covered By Medicare

How Do I Find My Main Doctors Name And Phone Number Its Not On The Card Same With My Dentist How Do I Get This Information

  • If you get your services through Medicaid medical or dental plans, you can get the name and phone number of your main doctor or dentist by calling your plan.
  • If you dont know your plans email address or phone number, call the number below. You also can get your plans phone number and mailing address on YourTexasBenefits.com.

Phone

  • Click Medicaid & CHIP Services in the Quick Links section.
  • Click View services and available health information.
  • Click Medicaid Benefits at the top of the page. This section lists the name, phone number and address for your main doctor. You can print a map and directions to your doctors office. Your medical and dental plan information is available on the card printout.
  • Note:

    • If you are 20 or younger, youll need to call your dental plan to find out about services or to get your dentists phone number and email address.
    • If you are 21 or older, you dont have a Medicaid dental plan. For answers to questions about Medicaid dental services, call your Medicaid medical plan.

    Signing Up For Premium

    How to Get a Replacement Medicare Card Online (Updated)

    You can sign up for Part A any time after you turn 65. Your Part A coverage starts 6 months back from when you sign up or when you apply for benefits from Social Security . Coverage cant start earlier than the month you turned 65.

    After your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you can only sign up for Part B and Premium-Part A during one of the other enrollment periods.

    Read Also: Is There An Income Limit For Medicare

    What You Need To Do

    If you will be eligible for Medicare when you retire, you should contact Social Security to enroll in both Medicare Parts A and Parts B three months before your retirement effective date. You will get a Medicare number once you are enrolled that you will need to provide to ORS when you enroll in an insurance plan.

    When you apply to retire, you’ll have a chance to enroll in a retiree insurance plan in step two of the online application. You will pick a carrier from the list of available options in your area and ORS will enroll you in the respective Medicare Advantage plan. Once you’re enrolled in the Medicare plan of your choice, you can expect ID cards and welcome kits from your selected carrier. If you apply at least three months before your insurance effective date, your cards will usually arrive before your coverage begins. If you need health services before your cards arrive, contact the insurance carrier directly to get your policy number or to verify coverage. For more information, go to your insurance carrier’s website. Waiting to enroll in Medicare could affect your eligibility and coverage.

    New Medicare Card

    Tell ORS your Medicare number and effective dates for parts A and B

    If your new 11-digit Medicare card arrives after you apply to retire, tell ORS your Medicare number as soon as you receive your card.

    You can submit your Medicare enrollment information one of the following ways:

    Consequences of not enrolling on time or disenrolling

    Effects of other coverage

    What Your Medicare Card Looks Like

    Once you have been deemed qualified to receive Medicare benefits, you will be issued a red, white and blue card, identifying you as a Medicare beneficiary. The card contains sensitive personal information on it. The information identifies you by name and contains your Social Security number, followed by a letter that delineates what type of coverage you have under the Medicare program. It will also show if you have coverage for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, etc. And, your signature will be shown at the bottom of the card.

    Read Also: How To Find Out Your Medicare Number

    Tell Ors Your Medicare Number And Effective Dates For Parts A And B

    When your new 11-digit Medicare card arrives, tell ORS your Medicare number as soon as you receive your card.

    • Log in to miAccount and send a secure message on Message Board, using the Submit My Medicare Number category. Include the name, Medicare number, and effective dates for parts A and B in your message for the individual going on Medicare.
    • Use miAccount to update your Medicare information and complete a plan change to enroll in the Medicare health and prescription drug plan. Print the confirmation page and mail or fax it to ORS.
    • Make a copy of your Medicare card. Write your name, member ID, address, and date of birth on the copy and mail or fax the copy of your card.
    • Mail or fax a completed Insurance Enrollment/Change Request form to ORS with your Medicare information.

    Do not enroll yourself or your eligible dependents in an individual Part D plan . All prescription drug plans offered by the retirement system for Medicare members are Part D plans, including those offered by our HMO options.

    How To Get A Medicare Card

    How To Apply For Medicare Part B Online

    Summary:

    Your Medicare Card is the proof that you are enrolled in Original Medicare . You will typically need your Medicare card to receive Medicare-covered services and care. If you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you can expect your card in the mail about 3 months before you turn 65. If you are already receiving disability benefits, you can expect your card in the mail 25 months after you get your first Social Security Check.

    If you are almost 65 and are not receiving retirement benefits, you will need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period which runs through the 3 months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the 3 months after you turn 65. You can expect your card in the mail within 30 days of being approved.

    You can apply for Original Medicare, and for a replacement Medicare card if you have lost yours, through the Social Security Website.

    Make sure when enrolling in Original Medicare or requesting a new card that your address is up to date!

    Your red, white, and blue Medicare card is proof that you are enrolled in Original Medicare. It is the most important piece of identification you own as a Medicare beneficiary, and you will generally need your Medicare card in order to receive Medicare-covered services.

    Read Also: Are Legal Residents Eligible For Medicare

    More articles

    Popular Articles